Activities in Beaune
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A
Lycée Viticole
One of about 20 French secondary schools (at least one in each wine-producing region) that trains young people in every aspect of winemaking. You can visit the cellars and taste the prize-winning wines made by the students, something they're officially not allowed to do till they're 18. (Decades ago wine used to be served with lunch in the school cafeteria!)
reviewed
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B
Cellier de la Vieille Grange
This is where locals come to buy Burgundy wines en vrac (in bulk) for as little as €1.25 per litre (from €3.40 per litre for AOC). Tasting is done direct from barrels using a pipette. Bring your own jerry can or buy a cubitainer (5/20L for €2.75/7.60) or something memorably called a Vinibag.
reviewed
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C
Reine Pédauque
Over the course of a 45-minute guided tour (in English upon request) of the 18th-century cellar, visitors sample at least one white, two reds and Belen, an apéritif. Given the thick cobwebs on the ceiling, you wouldn't want to be in here if gravity reversed itself.
reviewed
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D
Marché aux Vins
Using a tastevin, sample an impressive 15 wines in the candle-lit former Église des Cordeliers and its cellars. Wandering among the vintages takes about an hour. The finest wines are at the end; look for the premier crus and the grand cru.
reviewed
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La Moutarderie
Maison Fallot, Burgundy's last family-run stone-ground mustard company, offers tours of its facilities which include a museum about mustard. Demonstrations include hand-milling mustard seeds – young kids love it! Reserve ahead at the tourist office.
reviewed
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E
Patriarche Père et Fils
The largest cellars in Burgundy, they are lined with about five million bottles of wine. The oldest is a Beaune Villages AOC from 1904. Visitors sample 13 wines and take the tastevin home.
reviewed
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F
Bourgogne Randonnées
Arranges tailor-made self-guided bike tours, including lodging and meals.
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Hiking & Cycling
A number of walking circuits begin at Parc de la Bouzaize, just northwest of the Lycée Viticole. Bourgogne Randonnées arranges tailor-made self-guided bike tours, including lodging and meals. ADA also rents mountain bikes .
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Visiotrain
This small tourist train departs six times daily from Rue de l’Hôtel-Dieu and tours the old town.
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